In 2006, at one of my first Association of Image Consultants International (AICI) New England chapter meetings, I met Evana Maggiore, founder and creator of Fashion Feng Shui® International.  I had heard so many wonderful things about Evana, so I was very excited to meet her and learn more about Fashion Feng Shui®.  After talking with Evana, I knew that FFS was the style system I wanted to use in helping my clients better understand their personal style. I loved the holistic, mind/body/spirit approach to dressing from the inside out.

Fashion Feng Shui® was developed based on the ancient Chinese art of Feng Shui and is a holistic personal design system that relies on individual preferences and empowering choices.  It is my style system of choice because it teaches us to dress the whole person — mind, body and spirit.  In other words, getting to know yourself really well in order to bring that inner self into alignment with your external image.

As I learned about the five life-forming elements of Water, Wood, Fire, Earth and Metal, I discovered that each of the elements has a distinct energetic quality that is transmitted by specific colors, shapes and substances. Fashion Feng Shui® personifies nature’s five life-forming elements as five Elemental Archetypes and classifies each by Essence, Intention and Appearance.  Once you discover your Essence, Intention and Appearance, we synchronize your style by choosing design elements that integrate all three of your personal energies. With that knowledge, you’ll be able to choose garments that function in your life, and you will feel energized and excited.  When you begin dressing yourself authentically, your self-esteem and confidence change immediately.

I signed up right away and completed my Fashion Feng Shui® Professional Facilitator Certification Training with Evana in a group of wonderful women from all over the country.  It was so exciting!  Part of our training was to go through the FFS evaluation process ourselves. And that was the beginning of my own transformational journey.

Through Fashion Feng Shui®, I learned that I was tolerating so many things in my life and wardrobe. I was overwhelmed by the clutter in my home and my life.  I had gone through a major upheaval and was trying to make sense of everything that had happened, while taking care of my two young children and getting back into the workplace to support us.  My life had changed completely, and I was now the breadwinner in my family — a role I had never played before. And I had certainly never considered the idea of being a business owner! What I did know for sure was that I could not continue to work for a paycheck doing something that I didn’t enjoy, making no money and getting no benefits.  I remember thinking “It’s time to take a stand!” just like I’d read in the wonderful books I’d been reading by Cheryl Richardson — Stand Up for Your Life and The Unmistakable Touch of Grace (both books had a huge impact on my life at the time, and I highly recommend them).

As I went through my own evaluation process, I discovered my Essence is Metal, my intention (at that time) was Wood and my appearance is Water.  So I do everything through my lens of Metal.  I love high quality garments, luxurious fabrics, elegant styling.  I have known that all my life, since I was a child.  Given the choice (which I often was not), without knowing the price of something, I always chose the most expensive item!  I grew up hearing that I had “champagne taste on a beer budget.”  My parents both lived through the depression and often came from a place of lack and scarcity.  They worked hard. My dad owned his own business, but any extra money always went back into the business.  They never took vacations or bought anything extravagant.  They would go out to dinner after work on Friday evenings.  That was their little bit of extravagance. While love was never lacking in my family, the message I received was that I should never expect the finer things in life and to suppress those feelings and settle for something less than what I loved.

Through FFS I learned to really honor who I really AM — only buying things that fit, flatter and fulfill me and who I am meant to be. It was then that my whole world began to change! Now all the clothes in my closet are items that I love and wear all the time (in season).  I don’t need to worry that I won’t have the right outfit to wear, and I always feel great in my clothes because I know that they are reflecting the REAL me.  No more do I settle for “just okay.” I only go for great looking garments that I love.  But that doesn’t mean I buy millions of dollars worth of clothes. I’ve learned to buy garments that go with each other and create more with less!  It is such a wonderful feeling knowing that I always have what I need. And that feeling flows into more than just my wardrobe. I am more confident in who I am today and where I’m going. Fashion Feng Shui® was the catalyst for changing my whole life. Now my outer image is in alignment with my inner self, and the sky’s the limit!

I will always be grateful to Evana Maggiore and Fashion Feng Shui®. Without them, I would not own this fabulous business doing exactly what I love — helping other women learn about their personal style so they too can live the life of their dreams.

Here’s what Fashion Feng Shui® has taught me:

• Get rid of the clutter in your home, closets and office.  It affects you in so many ways.
• Know your likes and dislikes, and pay attention to them — listen to your intuition!
• Don’t tolerate anything in your life that doesn’t make you happy.
• Only fill your closet with clothing that you LOVE – things that fit, flatter and fulfill you.
• Own your Essence, and honor yourself by stepping into it fully. Don’t settle for less!
• Don’t wait to make changes in your life and wardrobe until things are perfect. Take one baby step at a time and watch what happens!
• Keep your closet clean, clutter free and well lit so that you can see all your beautiful clothing and accessories easily to create your outfits.
• Live your life through the “lens” of your Essence. How you do anything is how you do everything.

©2010 Laurie Mandato

“What dreadful hot weather we have! It keeps me in a continual state of inelegance.” ~Jane Austen

With temperatures hitting 100℉ and the humidity high for the last week, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, has felt more like Cape Coral, Florida. Our usually temperate New England weather has turned tropical, and Jane Austen’s words could not describe me better. It’s difficult to look and feel elegant when your makeup is dripping down your face and your clothes are sticking to your body like damp rags. This summer’s Fire is melting my Metal!

Let’s take a 5 Element Look at COOL Summer Style…

WATER The Philosopher ~ Dark Abstract Flowing
Water energy clothes have a built-in “cool” factor. Their sheer, light weight fabrics and flowing styles air condition you naturally. Skip the dark colors, though, as they hold heat.

WOOD The Pioneer ~ Fresh Natural Casual
Wood’s signature natural fibers absorb moisture to keep you looking and feeling cool when the temperature climbs. Breezy linens and cottons are your hot weather staples.

FIRE The Pleasure Seeker ~ Bright Bold Body-conscious
Fire design elements aren’t your best choice when it comes to warm weather dressing. Hot colors, tight clothes and animal-based fabrics just don’t cut it when the mercury is on the rise. You definitely want to show some skin though – the more you do, the cooler you will be.

EARTH The Peacemaker ~ Neutral Textured Basic
Earth design elements can feel smothering when it’s hot and humid. Keep textured fabrics to a minimum and go for the boxy shapes associated with this archetype.

METAL The Perfectionist ~ Pale Polished Luxurious
Metal’s innate elegance stays intact when you wear its light hues and shimmery fabrics. Stay away from this archetype’s stick-to-the-skin crepe-de-chines, heavy brocades and structured styling when hot weather hits.

©2010 Evana Maggiore

A great way to bring Fire energy into your wardrobe is to wear the brighter colors in your palette. Use animal prints to bring out your inner wild side. Let it be fun and sassy — add a little spice to your life as they say!

My clients are stepping into the spotlight in a big way — many of them are getting out there as speakers. If your intention is to gain notoriety, become an expert in your field, and get your message out so you can be of service to as many people as possible, then you’ll want to add some Fire energy to your wardrobe. By adding Fire energy you will be noticed more, you’ll show up in a bigger way and step more fully into your Unique Presence™. The key here is to know your personal essence first via a Fashion Feng Shui consultation so that you bring that Fire energy into your wardrobe in a way that feels authentic and exciting to you.

Each of the five life forming elements (Water, Wood, Fire, Earth and Metal) have colors, shapes and substances that are associated with them. By adding these into your wardrobe you will start to manifest your goals and desires. But be careful not to overdo it! The Universe is really good at paying attention.

The element of Fire empowers you to co-create: celebrity, connection, enthusiasm, fun, intimacy, joy, magnetism, passion and warmth. Fire energy contributes excitement to any environment into which it is introduced. For instance when I was creating my new website I knew that I wanted to add some fire energy to it, but I had to use it in a way that reflected my essence. So I chose to add the colors red and purple. Once you start living your life using your elemental essence it will be reflected in all areas of your life — your home, the car you drive, your personal environment. Start noticing where your essence shows up in your world!

Here are some ideas for adding Fire energy to your wardrobe and life:

Verbal affirmations :

• I live. I laugh. I love!
• I connect intimately with others.
• I attract fame and fun.

Adding the Element of FIRE:

• Colors — Red and Purple
• Shapes — Angular
• Substances — Life or Light based substances

Color – If red and purple are not in your palette, then wear the brighter colors in YOUR palette.

Style – Add more body conscious fabrics and shapes.

Fabrics – Hide, lycra, silk, satin, taffeta and wool. Animal prints, leather and sequins or light reflecting elements all add FIRE!

Here are some suggestions for adding your Intentional energy of Fire to your wardrobe:

Accessories:

• Sunglasses
• Handbags
• Shoes
• Jewelry
• Tote bag

Clothing – To attract the energy of Fire (The Pleasure Seeker) wear:

• The reds and purples of your palette
• Pointed or lifelike patterns
• Shiny, clingy, or noisy textures

The Elemental Archetypes wearing Fire:

	Water
	Wood
	Fire
	Earth
	Metal

Want to find out YOUR elemental essence? You can find out more about Fashion Feng Shui® on my website or contact me to schedule a virtual or in-person Fashion Feng Shui® Consultation (see my special offer here).

You also might enjoy reading Fashion Feng Shui: The Power of Dressing with Intention by Evana Maggiore, creator of Fashion Feng Shui® and president of Fashion Feng Shui® International.

Listen to Sly & the Family Stone sing “Hot Fun in the Summertime.”

Sources: Fashion Feng Shui® International and Fashion Feng Shui: The Power of Dressing with Intention by Evana Maggiore.

©2010 Laurie Mandato